The Silent Helpers

Ashley J

The Silent Helpers

Ashley J

The American Dream

The dream that our great country was founded on is based upon the principle that all men are created equal. If all men were created equal, then why did our nation support the inhumane act that was slavery? If all men were created equal, then why were some judged simply because of the color of their skin, and not treated with the same respect and dignity? These were some of the thoughts that went through the minds of the silent helpers behind the grand scheme of abolition. Although their actions may have seemed small and invisible, they were able to leave a greater impact in the future. The females of this movement were able to bring America back to its core values, and contribute to democracy, through peacefully boycotting slave-grown sugar, protesting through fashion, and writing great works of literature that would forever change peoples' minds.

What Did the Women Do?

The Pins of Protest

Many women bought these cameos to show their support for abolitionism.

These pins were made mostly for the Abolition Society for females on both sides of the Atlantic

The Banishing Boycott

Housewives were horrified when they discovered the cruel treatment of the slaves in the Caribbean

Women refused to buy slave-grown sugar

They also stayed away from bakeries or shops that used slave-grown sugar

Literature, Poems, and Public Speaking

Freed slaves began to write autobiographies about the harsh conditions of their past life

Poems and stories written by black and white women alike cause many people to realize the insanity of slavery

Female abolitionists like the Grimke sisters gave public speeches to spread the knowledge of the abolitionists

The Pins of Protest

Many women bought these cameos to show their support for abolitionism.

These pins were made mostly for the Abolition Society for females on both sides of the Atlantic

The Banishing Boycott

Housewives were horrified when they discovered the cruel treatment of the slaves in the Caribbean

Women refused to buy slave-grown sugar

They also stayed away from bakeries or shops that used slave-grown sugar

Literature, Poems, and Public Speaking

Freed slaves began to write autobiographies about the harsh conditions of their past life

Poems and stories written by black and white women alike cause many people to realize the insanity of slavery

Female abolitionists like the Grimke sisters gave public speeches to spread the knowledge of the abolitionists

I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate,

Was snach'd from AFRIC's fancy'd happy seat;

What pangs excruciating must molest,

What sorrows labour in my parents' breast?

Steel'd was that soul and by no mis'ry mov'd

That from a father seiz'd his babe belove'd;

Such-such my case; and can I then but pray

Others may never feel tyrannic sway?

Poem by Phyllis Wheatley

She was a former slave, abused and sold many times before being freed

Because she had a natural talent for writing, she was able to raise awareness for the movement through her powerful pieces

She wrote many poems and memoirs reflecting her experiences as a slave, and was able to generate empathy

Like many other female abolitionists, she regularly spoke at public meetings

DID YOU KNOW: Miss Wheatley was the first black woman to publish a book

Why Did White Women Join the Movement?

Many female abolitionists were involved with religious groups such as the Quakers, Unitarians, and Universalists, communities that believed all people were created equal

Often times, women also married men who were a part of the movement.

Because white females had more rights than black women, they had more opportunities to be educated to read and write, allowing them to be more prepared for the job as an abolitionist

They were also more respected, which made it easier when women gave public speeches

DID YOU KNOW: Many people considered it scandalous for a woman to be a part of the Abolitionist Movement because they considered it to be unladylike.

Famous Female Abolitionists

Harriet Tubman

This courageous woman had to endure the hardships of a separated family, plantation work, and abuse before running away. She helped over 700 other slaves escape the south through the Underground Railroad.

Angelina Grimke

She was the younger of the famous Grimke sisters, from a slave holding family South Carolina who was later converted into the Society of Friends, or the Quakers.

Susan B. Anthony

Although this female abolitionist is most famous for her work in the Women's Suffrage Movement, she was born into a Quaker family who stressed the values of equality.

Harriet Tubman

This courageous woman had to endure the hardships of a separated family, plantation work, and abuse before running away. She helped over 700 other slaves escape the south through the Underground Railroad.

Angelina Grimke

She was the younger of the famous Grimke sisters, from a slave holding family South Carolina who was later converted into the Society of Friends, or the Quakers.

Susan B. Anthony

Although this female abolitionist is most famous for her work in the Women's Suffrage Movement, she was born into a Quaker family who stressed the values of equality.